Court Dismisses Suit Filed Against Ayade’s Defection

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to declare the seat of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and his Deputy, Ivara Esu, vacant.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge Taiwo Taiwo, held that Ayade and Esu could not be sacked from their positions.

Justice Taiwo held that defection to another political party was not stated as one of the grounds for the removal of either a governor or his deputy.

In the suit, the PDP sought the removal of the Governor and his Deputy, following their defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.